Developing sustainable summer maize production for smallholder farmers in the North China Plain: An agronomic diagnosis method

With an increasing population and changing diet structure, summer maize is increasingly becoming an important energy crop in China. However, traditional farmer practices for maize production are inefficient and unsustainable. To ensure food security and sustainable development of summer maize production in China, an improved, more sustainable farmer management system is needed. Establishing this system requires a comprehensive understanding of the limitations of current farming practice and the ways it could be improved. In our study, 235 plots from three villages in the North China Plain(NCP) were monitored. Maize production on farms was evaluated; our results showed that the maize yield and nitrogen partial factor productivity(PFP_N) were variable on smallholder farms at 6.6~(–1)3.7 t ha~(–1) and 15.4–88.7 kg kg~(–1), respectively.Traditional farming practices also have a large environmental impact(nitrogen surplus: –64.2–323.78 kg ha~(–1)). Key yield components were identified by agronomic diagnosis. Grain yield depend heavily on grain numbers per hectare rather than on the 1 000-grain weight. A set of improved management practices(IP) for maize production was designed by employing a boundary line(BL) approach and tested on farms. Results showed that the IP could increase yield by 18.4% and PFP_N by 31.1%, compared with traditional farmer practices(FP), and reduce the nitrogen(N) surplus by 57.9 kg ha~(–1). However,in terms of IP effect, there was a large heterogeneity among different smallholder farmers' fields, meaning that, precise technologies were needed in different sites especially for N fertilizer management. Our results are valuable for policymakers and smallholder farmers for meeting the objectives of green development in agricultural production.     

Impacts of Fertilization Alternatives and Crop Straw Incorporation on N2O Emissions from a Spring Maize Field in Northeastern China

Spring maize is one of the most popular crops planted in northeastem China. The cropping systems involving spring maize have been maintaining high production through intensive management practices. However, the high rates of nitrogen （N） fertilizers application could have introduced a great amount of nitrous oxide （N2O） into the atmosphere. It is crucial for sustaining the maize production systems to reduce N2O emissions meanwhile maintaining the optimum yields by adopting alternative farming management practices. The goal of this study was to evaluate effects of alternative fertilization and crop residue management practices on N2O emission as well as crop yield for a typical maize field in northeastern China. Field experiments were conducted during the 2010-2011 maize growing seasons （from early May to late September） in Liaoning Province, northeastern China. N2O fluxes were measured at the field plots with six different treatments including no N fertilizer use （CK）, farmers＇ conventional N fertilizer application rate （FP）, reduced N fertilizer rate （OPT）, reduced N fertilizer rate combined with crop straw amendment （OPTS）, slow-release N fertilizer （CRF）, and reduced N fertilizer rate combined with nitrification inhibitor （OPT＋DCD）. The static chamber method combined with gas chromatography technique was employed to conduct the measurements of N2O fluxes. The field data showed that N2O emissions varied across the treatments. During the maize growing season in 2010, the total N2O emissions under the treatments of CK, FP, OPT, OPTS, and CRF were 0.63, 1.11, 1.03, 1.26, and 0.98 kg N ha-1, respectively. The seasonal cumulative N2O emissions were 0.54, 1.07, 0.96, 1.12, and 0.84 kg N ha1, respectively, under CK, FP, OPT, OPTS, and OPT＋DCD in 2011. In comparison with FP, CRF or OPT＋DCD reduced the N2O emissions by 12 or 21%, respectively, while the crop yields remained unchanged. The results indicate that the reduction of N-fertilizer application rate in combination with the slow-release fertilizer type or nitrification inhibitor could effectively mitigate N2O emissions from the tested field. The incorporation of crop residue didn＇t show positive effect on mitigating N2O emissions from the tested cropping system. The field study can provide useful information for the on-going debate on alternative N fertilization strategies and crop straw management in China. However, further studies would be needed to explore the long-term impacts of the alternative management practices on a wide range of environmental services.     

Significant reduction of ammonia emissions while increasing crop yields using the 4R nutrient stewardship in an intensive cropping system

Ammonia (NH₃) emissions should be mitigated to improve environmental quality. Croplands are one of the largest NH₃ sources, they must be managed properly to reduce their emissions while achieving the target yields. Herein, we report the NH₃ emissions, crop yield and changes in soil fertility in a long-term trial with various fertilization regimes, to explore whether NH₃ emissions can be significantly reduced using the 4R nutrient stewardship (4Rs), and its interaction with the organic amendments (i.e., manure and straw) in a wheat–maize rotation. Implementing the 4Rs significantly reduced NH₃ emissions to 6 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 and the emission factor to 1.72%, without compromising grain yield (12.37 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1) and soil fertility (soil organic carbon of 7.58 g kg^–1) compared to the conventional chemical N management. When using the 4R plus manure, NH₃ emissions (7 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1) and the emission factor (1.74%) were as low as 4Rs, and grain yield and soil organic carbon increased to 14.79 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1 and 10.09 g kg^–1, respectively. Partial manure substitution not only significantly reduced NH₃ emissions but also increased crop yields and improved soil fertility, compared to conventional chemical N management. Straw return exerted a minor effect on NH₃ emissions. These results highlight that 4R plus manure, which couples nitrogen and carbon management can help achieve both high yields and low environmental costs.     

1980-2010年中国和印度农田化肥氮源氧化亚氮排放的比较

采用排放因子方法估算了1980—2010年中国和印度小麦、玉米和水稻农田化肥氮源 N2O 直接排放量,并进一步分析了两国农田 N2O 排放的时间变化和空间差异。结果表明：中国1980—2010年小麦、玉米、水稻田的单位面积 N2O 直接排放量平均值分别为1.75、1.60、0.42 kg N2O-N·hm-2·a-1,分别为印度的1.3、2.4、2.0倍。中国小麦、玉米农田单位面积 N2O 排放量较高的地区主要集中在东南和南部,西部和北部排放较低,而印度小麦、玉米农田单位面积排放量高的区域则集中在东部及西南沿海。三十年间,中印两国三种作物 N2O 直接排放量平均值分别为98.6、47.8 Gg N2O-N。中国小麦和玉米田 N2O 排放量占三种作物排放总量的近90%,而印度农田 N2O 排放则主要来自小麦田,约占70%。两国三种作物 N2O 直接排放量随时间呈显著增加趋势,增加速率均表现为小麦田﹥玉米田﹥水稻田。中国三种作物 N2O 排放总量的年均增加速率为3.7%,低于印度的10.4%。虽然中国三种作物单位面积 N2O直接排放量和排放总量高于印度,但排放强度（单位产量的 N2O-N 排放量）及其增加速率均低于印度。     

Suitability of the DNDC model to simulate yield production and nitrogen uptake for maize and soybean intercropping in the North China Plain

Intercropping is an important agronomic practice. However, assessment of intercropping systems using field experiments is often limited by time and cost. In this study, the suitability of using the DeNitrification DeComposition(DNDC) model to simulate intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and soybean(Glycine max L.) and its aftereffect on the succeeding wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) crop was tested in the North China Plain. First, the model was calibrated and corroborated to simulate crop yield and nitrogen(N) uptake based on a field experiment with a typical double cropping system. With a wheat crop in winter, the experiment included five treatments in summer: maize monoculture, soybean monoculture, intercropping of maize and soybean with no N topdressing to maize(N0), intercropping of maize and soybean with 75 kg N ha~(–1) topdressing to maize(N75), and intercropping of maize and soybean with 180 kg N ha~(–1) topdressing to maize(N180). All treatments had 45 kg N ha~(–1) as basal fertilizer. After calibration and corroboration, DNDC was used to simulate long-term(1955 to 2012) treatment effects on yield. Results showed that DNDC could stringently capture the yield and N uptake of the intercropping system under all N management scenarios, though it tended to underestimate wheat yield and N uptake under N0 and N75. Long-term simulation results showed that N75 led to the highest maize and soybean yields per unit planting area among all treatments, increasing maize yield by 59% and soybean yield by 24%, resulting in a land utilization rate 42% higher than monoculture. The results suggest a high potential to promote soybean production by intercropping soybean with maize in the North China Plain, which will help to meet the large national demand for soybean.     

不同氮肥管理方式对华北粮田N2O排放和作物产量的影响分析

通过华北小麦和玉米田已发表文献分析,明确不同施氮量、氮肥基追比及氮素调控措施对土壤N₂O排放和作物产量的影响。结果表明：高氮水平下减少氮肥用量并调整基追比有助于减少土壤N₂O排放;添加硝化抑制剂双氰胺（DCD）对小麦和玉米产量的提高和土壤N₂O的减排效果均较好。兼顾华北粮田N₂O减排和作物产量,小麦季推荐合理施氮量167～174 kg·hm^-2,基追比1∶1,添加DCD,土壤N₂O总排放量为 0.31 kg·hm^-2,籽粒产量6200 kg·hm^-2以上;玉米季推荐合理施氮量177～181 kg·hm^-2,基追比2∶3～1∶2,添加DCD,土壤N₂O总排放量1.70 kg·hm^-2,籽粒产量9000 kg·hm^-2以上。     

Estimates of N2O Emissions and Mitigation Potential from a Spring Maize Field Based on DNDC Model

Agricultural production plays an important role in affecting atmospheric nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentrations. Field measurements were conducted in Dalian City, Liaoning Province in Northeast China from two consecutive years (2009 and 2010) to estimate N₂O emissions from a spring maize field, a main cropping system across the Chinese agricultural regions. The observed flux data in conjunction with the local climate, soil and management information were utilized to test a process-based model, DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC), for its applicability for the cropping system. The validated DNDC was then used for exploring strategies to reduce N₂O emissions from the target field. The results showed that the major N₂O pulse emissions occurred with duration of about 3-5 d after fertilizer application in both years 2009 and 2010, which on average accounted for about 60% of the total N₂O emissions each year. Rainfall and fertilizer application were the major factors influencing the N₂O emissions from spring maize field. The average N₂O fluxes from the CK (control plot, without fertilization) and FP (traditional chemical N fertilizer) treatments were 23.1 and 60.6 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ in 2009, respectively, and 21.5 and 64.3 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ in 2010, respectively. The emission factors (EFs) of the applied N fertilizer (270 kg N ha⁻¹) as N₂O-N were 0.62% in 2009 and 0.77% in 2010, respectively. The comparison of modeled daily N₂O emission fluxes against observations indicated that the DNDC model had a good performance even if without adjusting the internal parameters. The modeled results showed that management practices such as no-till, changing timing or rate of fertilizer application, increasing residue incorporation, and other technically applicable measures could effectively reduce N₂O emissions from the tested fields. Our study indicated that avoiding application of N fertilizers at heavy rainfall events or splitting the fertilizer into more applications would be the most feasible approaches to reduce N₂O emissions from spring maize production in Northeast China.     

Nitrous oxide emissions following seasonal freeze-thaw events from arable soils in Northeast China

Seasonal soil freeze-thaw events may enhance soil nitrogen transformation and thus stimulate nitrous oxide(N_2O)emissions in cold regions.However,the mechanisms of soil N_2O emission during the freeze-thaw cycling in the field remain unclear.We evaluated N_2O emissions and soil biotic and abiotic factors in maize and paddy fields over 20 months in Northeast China,and the structural equation model(SEM)was used to determine which factors affected N_2O production during non-growing season.Our results verified that the seasonal freeze-thaw cycles mitigated the available soil nitrogen and carbon limitation during spring thawing period,but simultaneously increased the gaseous N_2O-N losses at the annual time scale under field condition.The N_2O-N cumulative losses during the non-growing season amounted to 0.71 and 0.55 kg N ha~(–1) for the paddy and maize fields,respectively,and contributed to 66 and 18%of the annual total.The highest emission rates(199.2–257.4μg m~(–2) h~(–1))were observed during soil thawing for both fields,but we did not observe an emission peak during soil freezing in early winter.Although the pulses of N_2O emission in spring were short-lived(18 d),it resulted in approximately80%of the non-growing season N_2O-N loss.The N_2O burst during the spring thawing was triggered by the combined impact of high soil moisture,flush available nitrogen and carbon,and rapid recovery of microbial biomass.SEM analysis indicated that the soil moisture,available substrates including NH_4~+and dissolved organic carbon(DOC),and microbial biomass nitrogen(MBN)explained 32,36,16 and 51%of the N_2O flux variation,respectively,during the non-growing season.Our results suggested that N_2O emission during the spring thawing make a vital contribution of the annual nitrogen budget,and the vast seasonally frozen and snow-covered croplands will have high potential to exert a positive feedback on climate change considering the sensitive response of nitrogen biogeochemical cycling to the freeze-thaw disturbance.     

中国主要旱地农田N_2O背景排放量及排放系数特点

【目的】收集中国已发表的旱地农田N_2O排放田间监测文献并建立数据库,以此为基础解析中国主要旱地农田(小麦地、玉米地、蔬菜地)的N_2O背景排放值(不施肥情况下土壤的N_2O排放量)和排放系数(EF)及影响因子,为估算区域温室气体清单和提出相应的减排策略提供数据支持。【方法】利用亚组归类和回归分析等方法对主要类型旱地农田N_2O背景排放量的影响因子(如土壤全氮含量和土壤碳氮比)及影响EF的因子(如氮肥用量及肥料类型——硝化抑制剂和缓控释肥)进行分析。【结果】(1)中国旱地农田N_2O背景排放量为0.70—3.14 kg N_2O-N·hm~(-2);小麦地和夏玉米地的N_2O背景排放量和蔬菜地的N_2O日背景排放量均随土壤全氮含量增加而增加,并随土壤碳氮比的增加而降低,灌溉促进小麦地N_2O背景排放量增加;(2)EF随着无机氮肥用量的增加而增加,不同作物种植类型农田的EF大小依次为蔬菜地(0.61%—1.13%)夏玉米地(0.50%—0.68%)春玉米地(0.35%—0.40%)小麦地(0.22%—0.36%);夏玉米地的EF是小麦地的2倍左右;(3)使用不同种类硝化抑制剂后氮肥的EF均有不同程度的降低,EF降低了34%—60%,EF降低程度依次为:DCD+HQ(58.9%)NBPT+DCD(52.9%)DMPP(51.1%)NBPT(44.1%)吡啶(39.5%)DCD(38.9%);硝化抑制剂降低EF的效果在不同旱地农田的表现为:小麦地(60.0%)蔬菜地(50.6%)春玉米地(39.6%)夏玉米地(34.7%);(4)与常规尿素相比,不同类型缓控释肥使得EF降低了15.9%—78.9%,降低次序依次为:长效碳酸氢铵(78.9%)聚合物包膜尿素(59.8%)脲甲醛(53.4%)树脂包膜尿素(44.9%)硫磺包膜尿素(30.6%)钙镁磷肥包膜尿素(15.9%);缓控释肥降低EF的效果在不同农田表现为:蔬菜地(78.4%)春玉米地(58.2%)小麦地(49.2%)夏玉米地,控释肥在降低夏玉米地EF的作用较小。【结论】旱地农田N_2O排放主要受土壤养分状况(全氮含量和碳氮比)和管理措施(灌溉和施肥)及其他因素的共同影响,应依据不同气候生态区的气候和土壤特点以及作物类型并考虑氮肥用量和类型采取针对性的减排措施,以有效降低农田N_2O排放。     

我国典型省份小麦和玉米农田化学氮肥施用与生产运输过程的温室气体排放量估算

基于相关统计数据,通过文献调研方法,估算了我国河南、河北和山东3个典型省份在小麦和玉米上消费的化学氮肥产生的温室气体排放量,包括化学氮肥施用产生的土壤N_2O直接排放、通过挥发沉降和淋溶径流途径损失的氮素导致的N_2O间接排放以及不同种类化学氮肥在生产和运输过程中的温室气体排放。结果表明:河南、河北和山东3个典型省份在小麦上消费的化学氮肥产生的温室气体排放量分别为1536万、847万、1153万t CO_2–eq·a–1,单位播种面积温室气体排放量分别为2.85、3.61、3.09 t CO_2–eq·hm–2·a–1,单位产量温室气体排放量分别为0.46、0.60、0.51 t CO_2–eq·t~(–1)·a~(–1);相应省份在玉米上消费的化学氮肥产生的温室气体排放量分别为717万、720万、912万t CO_2–eq·a–1,单位播种面积温室气体排放量分别为2.19、2.27、2.92 t CO_2–eq·hm–2·a–1,单位产量温室气体排放量分别为0.40、0.43、0.46 t CO_2–eq·t~(–1)·a~(–1)。研究表明,化学氮肥消费带来的温室气体排放主要来自于化学氮肥在生产过程中的温室气体排放以及化学氮肥施用导致的土壤N_2O直接排放这两部分。     

Increased ammonification,nitrogenase, soil respiration and microbial biomass N in the rhizosphere of rice plants inoculated with rhizobacteria

Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens are well-known plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. However, the effects of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens on the N cycles in the paddy field and rice plant growth are little known. This study investigated whether and how A. brasilense and P. fluorescens contribute to the N transformations and N supply capacities in the rhizosphere, and clarified the effects of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens on the N application rate in rice cultivation. Inoculations with A. brasilense and P. fluorescens coupled with N application rate trials were conducted in the paddy field in 2016 and 2017. The inoculations of rice seedlings included four treatments: sterile saline solution(M_0), A. brasilense(Mb), P. fluorescens(Mp), and co-inoculation with a mixture of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens(Mbp). The N application rate included four levels: 0 kg N ha~(–1)(N_0), 90 kg N ha~(–1)(N_(90)), 180 kg N ha~(–1)(N_(180)), and 270 kg N ha~(–1)(N_(270)). The results indicated that the Mbp and Mp treatments significantly enhanced the ammonification activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_0 treatment, especially for higher N applications, while the Mbp and Mb treatments greatly enhanced the nitrogenase activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_0 treatments, especially for lower N applications. Azospirillum brasilense and P. fluorescens did not participate in the nitrification processes or the denitrification processes in the soil. The soil respiration rate and microbial biomass N were greatly affected by the interactions between the rhizobacteria inoculations and the N fertilizer applications. In the Mbp treatment, N supply capacities and rice grain yields showed no significant differences among the N_(90), N_(180), and N_(270) applications. The N application rate in the study region can be reduced to 90 kg N ha~(–1) for rice seedlings co-inoculated with a mixture of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens.     

Trends of Yield and Soil Fertility in a Long-Term Wheat-Maize System

The sustainability of the wheat-maize rotation is important to China＇s food security. Intensive cropping without recycling crop residues or other organic inputs results in the loss of soil organic matter （SOM） and nutrients, and is assumed to be non- sustainable. We evaluated the effects of nine different treatments on yields, nitrogen use efficiency, P and K balances, and soil fertility in a wheat-maize rotation system （1991-2010） on silt clay loam in Shaanxi, China. The treatments involved the application of recommended dose of nitrogen （N）, nitrogen and phosphorus （NP）, nitrogen and potassium （NK）, phosphorus and potassium （PK）, combined NPK, wheat or maize straw （S） with NPK （SNPK）, or dairy manure （M） with NPK （M1NPK and M2NPK）, along with an un-treated control treatment （CK）. The mean yields of wheat and maize ranged from 992 and 2 235 kg ha-1 under CK to 5 962 and 6 894 kg ha-1 under M2NPK treatment, respectively. Treatments in which either N or P was omitted （N, NK and PK） gave significantly lower crop yields than those in which both were applied. The crop yields obtained under NP, NPK and SNPK treatments were statistically identical, as were those obtained under SNPK and MNPK. However, M2NPK gave a significant higher wheat yield than NP, and MNPK gave significant higher maize yield than both NP and NPK. Wheat yields increased significantly （by 86 to 155 kg ha-1 yr-1） in treatments where NP was applied, but maize yields did not. In general, the nitrogen use efficiency of wheat was the highest under the NP and NPK treatments; for maize, it was the highest under MNPK treatment. The P balance was highly positive under MNPK treatment, increasing by 136 to 213 kg ha-1 annually. While the K balance was negative in most treatments, ranging from 31 to 217 kg ha^-1 yr^-1, levels of soil available K remained unchanged or increased over the 20 yr. SOM levels increased significantly in all treatments. Overall, the results indicated that combinations of organic manure and inorganic nitrogen, or retuming straw with NP is likely to improve soil fertility, increasing the yields achievable with wheat-maize system in a way which is environmentally and agronomically beneficial on the tested soil.     

Yield performance and optimal nitrogen and phosphorus application rates in wheat and faba bean intercropping

Yield performance in cereal and legume intercropping is related to nutrient management, however, the yield response of companion crops to nitrogen (N) input is inconclusive and only limited efforts have focused on rationed phosphorous (P) fertilization. In this study, two multi-year field experiments were implemented from 2014–2019 under identical conditions. Two factors in a randomized complete block design were adopted in both experiments. In field experiment 1, the two factors included three planting patterns (mono-cropped wheat (MW), mono-cropped faba bean (MF), and wheat and faba bean intercropping (W//F)) and four N application rates (N0, 0 kg N ha^–1; N1, 90 and 45 kg N ha^–1 for wheat and faba beans, respectively; N2, 180 and 90 kg N ha^–1 for wheat and faba beans, respectively; and N3, 270 and 135 kg N ha^–1 for wheat and faba beans, respectively). In field experiment 2, the two factors included three P application rates (P0, 0 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1; P1, 45 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1; and P2, 90 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1) and the same three planting patterns (MW, MF, and W//F). The yield performances of inter- and mono-cropped wheat and faba beans under different N and P application rates were analyzed and the optimal N and P rates for intercropped wheat (IW) and MW were estimated. The results revealed that intercropping favored wheat yield and was adverse to faba bean yield. Wheat yield increased by 18–26%, but faba bean yield decreased by 5–21% in W//F compared to MW and MF, respectively. The stimulated IW yield drove the yield advantage in W//F with an average land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.12. N and P fertilization benefited IW yield, but reduced intercropped faba bean (IF) yield. Nevertheless, the partial LER of wheat (pLER_wheat) decreased with increasing N application rates, and the partial LER of faba bean (pLER_{faba bean}) decreased with increasing P application rates. Thus, LER decreased as N input increased and tended to decline as P rates increased. IW maintained a similar yield as MW, even under reduced 40–50% N fertilizer and 30–40% P fertilizer conditions. The estimated optimum N application rates for IW and MW were 150 and 168 kg ha^–1, respectively, and 63 and 62 kg ha^–1 for P₂O₅, respectively. In conclusion, W//F exhibited yield advantages due to stimulated IW yield, but the intercropping yield benefit decreased as N and P inputs increased. Thus, it was concluded that modulated N and P rates could maximize the economic and ecological functions of intercropping. Based on the results, rates of 150 kg Nha^–1 and 60 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1 are recommended for IW production in southwestern China and places with similar conditions.     

Effects of nitrogen application rates and irrigation regimes on grain yield and water use efficiency of maize under alternate partial root-zone irrigation

Faced with the scarcity of water resources and irrational fertilizer use, it is critical to supply plants with water and fertilizer in a coordinated pattern to improve yield with high water use efficiency (WUE). One such method, alternate partial root-zone irrigation (APRI), has been practiced worldwide, but there is limited information on the performance of different irrigation regimes and nitrogen (N) rates under APRI. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of varying irrigation regimes and N rates on shoot growth, grain yield and WUE of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under APRI in the Hexi Corridor area of Northwest China in 2014 and 2015. The three N rates were 100, 200 and 300 kg N ha⁻¹, designated N₁, N₂ and N₃, respectively. The three irrigation regimes of 45–50%, 60–65% and 75–80% field capacity (FC) throughout the maize growing season, designated W₁, W₂ and W₃, respectively, were applied in combination with each N rate. The results showed that W₂ and W₃ significantly increased the plant height, stem diameter, crop growth rate, chlorophyll SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), biomass, grain yield, ears per ha, kernels per cob, 1 000-kernel weight, harvest index, evapotranspiration and leaf area index (LAI) compared to W₁ at each N rate. The N₂ and N₃ treatments increased those parameters compared to N₁ in each irrigation treatment. Increasing the N rate from the N₂ to N₃ resulted in increased biomass and grain yield under W₃ while it had no impact on those under the W₁ and W₂ treatments. The W₃N₃ and W₂N₂ and W₂N₃ treatments achieved the greatest and the second-greatest biomass and grain yield, respectively. Increasing the N rate significantly enhanced the maximum LAI (LAI at the silking stage) and P_n under W₃, suggesting that the interaction of irrigation and fertilizer N management can effectively improve leaf growth and development, and consequently provide high biomass and grain yield of maize. The W₂N₂, W₂N₃ and W₃N₃ treatments attained the greatest WUE among all the treatments. Thus, either 60–65% FC coupled with 200–300 kg N ha⁻¹ or 75–80% FC coupled with 300 kg N ha⁻¹ is proposed as a better pattern of irrigation and nitrogen application with positive regulative effects on grain yield and WUE of maize under APRI in the Hexi Corridor area of Northwest China and other regions with similar environments. These results can provide a basis for in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of grain yield and WUE to supply levels of water and nitrogen.     

不同施氮方式对玉米产量及N2O排放的影响

通过3年定位试验,采用静态箱/气相色谱法对壤质草甸土区玉米生产进行了全生长季N₂O排放通量的观测,分析了不同施氮方式对N₂O排放总量、排放系数和玉米产量的影响。结果表明:减少氮肥用量20%的缓控释肥处理与秸秆还田配化肥处理产量居高,而且二者间差异不显著;秸秆还田促进了农田土壤N₂O排放,使得秸秆还田配化肥处理的年均N₂O季节排放总量最高,达到1.50 kg N·hm^-2;年均N₂O季节排放总量与施肥量之间相关系数达到了0.97;随着试验年限的增加,N₂O-N季节排放系数受施肥量的影响逐年增加,相关系数从2009年的-0.015增加到2011年的0.624。因此不同施氮方式对N₂O季节排放的影响需要通过多年定位来准确把握,同时在研究农田N₂O-N季节排放时要适当考虑植株生长过程中N₂O的排放。兼顾产量和减排2个因素,建议推广缓控释肥的减量施用。     

Nitrogen Nutrition Index and Its Relationship with N Use Efficiency,Tuber Yield,Radiation Use Efficiency,and Leaf Parameters in Potatoes

Knowledge about crop growth processes in relation to N limitation is necessary to optimize N management in farming system. Plant-based diagnostic method, for instance nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) were used to determine the crop nitrogen status. This study determines the relationship of NNI with agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (AE_N), tuber yield, radiation use efficiency (RUE) and leaf parameters including leaf area index (LAI), areal leaf N content (N_AL) and leaf N concentration (N_L). Potatoes were grown in field at three N levels: no N (N1), 150 kg N ha⁻¹ (N2), 300 kg N ha⁻¹ (N3). N deficiency was quantified by NNI and RUE was generally calculated by estimating of the light absorbance on leaf area. NNI was used to evaluate the N effect on tuber yield, RUE, LAI, N_AL, and N_L. The results showed that NNI was negatively correlated with AE_N, N deficiencies (NNI<1) which occurred for N1 and N2 significantly reduced LAI, N_L and tuber yield; whereas the N deficiencies had a relative small effect on N_AL and RUE. To remove any effect other than N on these parameters, the actual ratio to maximum values were calculated for each developmental stage of potatoes. When the NNI ranged from 0.4 to 1, positive linear relationships were obtained between NNI and tuber yield, LAI, N_L, while a nonlinear regression fitted the response of RUE to NNI.     

优化氮肥配置提高冬小麦-夏玉米贮墒旱作栽培水氮利用效率

为探明与冬小麦-夏玉米周年贮墒旱作节水栽培模式相配套的氮肥高效施用技术,基于贮墒旱作栽培(冬小麦和夏玉米灌底墒水或出苗水,生育期内不灌水),在全年施氮量360 kg/hm2下开展了前后茬作物施氮量配比不同的大田试验.试验设置4种施氮处理,分别为冬小麦120 kg/hm2+夏玉米240 kg/hm2(W0N1);冬小麦1...     

秸秆不同还田模式对玉米田温室气体排放和碳固定的影响

为了探讨小麦秸秆不同还田模式对玉米田温室气体排放和碳固定的影响,通过田间试验,测定了秸秆不同还田方式下玉米生长季温室气体(CO₂、N₂O和CH₄)的排放量和碳固定量,结果表明:秸秆不同还田模式对温室气体排放量影响不同,在玉米生长季,CO₂和N₂O累计排放量表现为秸秆过腹还田(CGS)>秸秆直接还田(CS)> 秸秆不还田(CK)> 秸秆-菌渣还田(CMS),CH₄的累计吸收量表现为CGS >CK >CMS >CS,且不同处理间差异显著(P<0.05);秸秆不同还田模式也影响土壤和植物的碳储量,耕层土壤有机碳储量表现为CGS> CMS> CS> CK,且不同处理间差异显著(P<0.05),植株、籽粒的固碳量表现为CGS> CS> CMS> CK,但不同处理间差异不显著(P>0.05).和CK相比,在CS、CGS和CMS模式下,玉米田对全球变暖的减缓效应均增加,但增加量不同,表现为CGS> CMS> CS >CK,既秸秆过腹还田模式下玉米田对全球变暖的减缓效应最大,其次是秸秆-菌渣还田模式,之后是秸秆直接还田模式.在秸秆过腹还田模式下,玉米田对全球变暖的减缓效应为22 493.83 kg CO₂·hm^-2,分别比CK、CS和CMS模式下玉米田对全球变暖的减缓效应增加24.2%、 18.7%和 1.6%.从减缓全球变暖的角度,推荐秸秆过腹还田模式,该模式也有利于形成粮食-秸秆-饲料-牲畜-肥料-粮食的良性循环,实现农田的固碳、减排.     

生物质炭对旱作春玉米农田N2O排放的效应

通过田间试验,采用密闭式静态暗箱-气相色谱法研究不同生物质炭添加量(0、10、20、30t·hm-2)对黄土旱塬旱作春玉米农田N2O排放的影响。结果表明:生物质炭添加降低了施氮农田春玉米生长季N2O排放通量峰值和排放总量,添加30、20、10 t·hm-2生物质炭的三个处理N2O排放总量比不添加生物质炭的处理分别降低19.24%、9.89%、3.40%,其中添加30 t·hm-2生物质炭处理降低显著(P0.05),但添加20 t·hm-2的生物质炭未对不施氮农田N2O排放通量和总量产生显著影响。无论添加生物质炭与否,生长季不施氮处理的N2O排放通量和总量均显著低于施氮处理。添加生物质炭不同程度提升了农田0 cm和10 cm土壤温度,减少了施氮处理0~20cm土壤NH+4-N和NO-3-N含量,但对农田0~20 cm土层土壤含水量影响不显著。相关分析表明,试验农田N2O的排放通量与0~20 cm土层土壤NO-3-N和NH+4-N含量、含水量均呈极显著正相关关系(P0.001),与0 cm与10 cm土壤温度呈负相关关系。添加生物质炭后矿质氮含量的减少可能是旱作春玉米农田N2O排放减少的主要原因。     

农田氧化亚氮减排的关键是合理施氮

农业源氧化亚氮(N2O)排放量占全球人为源总排放量的2/3,是最大的人为排放源,氮肥和有机肥的施用是其主要贡献者。合理施氮是获得较高目标产量、维持土壤氮肥力和降低因施氮引起环境污染风险的关键,在减少农田土壤N2O排放、缓解温室效应中起重要作用。本文基于合理施肥的“4R”(Right amount,Right type,Right time,Right place)理念和技术,论述了施氮量与N2O排放量之间的数量关系,肥料品种、施肥时期和方法对N2O减排的影响。强调了氮素投入超过作物需氮量后,N2O排放量会呈现指数型增长;将施氮量控制在合理范围对N2O减排的重要性。建议在不同土壤-气候-作物体系下,同时开展产量、品质,氨挥发、硝酸盐淋洗、N2O排放和土壤肥力的长期系统研究,不能顾此失彼;形成同类地区能够机械操作的规范化种植模式与合理施肥措施,包括与其他农艺措施的配合,如轮作与耕作、灌溉、有机肥和秸秆还田、磷钾肥和中微量元素管理等,以实现产量、品质、效益与环境效应相协调的可持续集约化作物生产目标。